F1: Integration of Formula E

The Pinnacle of Motorsports:

It’s not a mandatory requirement that Formula 1 should be the epicentre of innovation. It can also be an area where the innovations happening elsewhere are used in Formula 1 for further development of the product, and to show the World that there is a real potential in the innovated product. Some of these products were extensively developed in Formula 1 during the yesteryears, and some of them aren’t used in Formula 1 at this time.

• Ground Effect
• Diffuser
• Carbon Brakes
• Radial Tyres
• Carbon Fibres
• Semi Automatic Transmission
• Active suspension
• Monocoque chassis
• Turbochargers
• Mid Engine drive
• Wings
• Traction Control
• Launch Control
• Telemetry
• Paddle shift
• Pneumatic Valve Gear
• Drive by wire throttle
• Electronic Clutch
• Electronic Hand Brake
• Anti Skid

However, in spite of the fact that the modern World is much more advanced than what it was in a decade or two, it has to be said that the technology transfer between Formula 1 and the common road car isn’t progressing at a pace as one would have liked to witness. While some products that were extensively used in Formula 1 are available in normal hatchbacks, certain products like Carbon Fibre which was used in MP4/1 nearly three decades ago, isn’t significantly used, and is restricted to luxury cars. i3 again scores a clean score over its rivals, with the usage of carbon fibres which significantly reduces the car’s weight, and thereby technically increasing its working range.

When we talk of a long period like three decades for a product used in the pinnacle of Motorsports to become mainstream, it has to be wondered if the technology innovations happening at Formula E would take a similar time frame to reach the masses, which would seriously hurt the clean and cost effective World that we are all waiting to see. Although it wouldn’t be the case, as ‘green racing’ is happening for quite some time in various other forms of racing, Formula E is an ideal test berth for the greener, more efficient and the cleaner innovations that the various Governments is planning to switch for the future.

That X-Factor:

We are not sure if running the Formula E as a separate series will have its effects on the automakers, or if the general motorsport fan would be interested to see this new category in motorsports. From the looks of it, Formula E seems to be an ideal promotional series, rather than an exhausting series, as many would have preferred. However, running Formula E as a feeder series, or integrating the series into Formula 1 would certainly increase the pace of the innovation, along with the technology transfer, as making this series more relative would make way for breezy innovations, which could just be incorporated into the cars for the masses at a rapid pace. Although this idea would be far from feasible, there are ways for integrating these series in the near future.

Working Range and Quick Charge are the major liabilities of EVs. It is one of the reasons why Formula E has two mandatory stops, where drivers swap their cars to allow the teams to recharge the batteries. It’s the aim of Formula E to use one car per driver throughout the race, and that’s what the teams would be hoping to innovate. Things like KERS could significantly improve the working range, when optimised and innovated further. Although the Lithium ion is the most used battery on EVs, maybe Formula E can help us look beyond these regulars for more performance oriented batteries of the future. The innovations would seriously come at a rapid pace, when you are competing with the likes of Adrian Newey and co.